LSEG Signs $3.5 Billion Deal to Acquire Credit Platform Octus, Lifts 2026 Outlook

04:21 AM EDT, 10/22/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Shares in London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG.L) rose nearly 4% on Thursday morning after it raised its full-year 2026 growth outlook and disclosed a $3.54 billion deal to acquire credit platform Octus. LSEG will purchase Octus, which provides credit intelligence, data and workflows, from investment company Permira and the target's management, including its founder Kent Collier. The stock exchange operator plans to fund the all-cash deal through external debt. Octus will be integrated into LSEG's data and analytics division upon completion of the deal, which is expected in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory clearances. The deal is expected to be immediately accretive to the organic revenue growth of LSEG's data and analytics division, and additive to the group's guidance for organic subscription revenue growth of 7% in 2027. LSEG, which already operates in the liquid credit market, expects Octus' capabilities in illiquid and private credit to enable it to offer clients a comprehensive suite of products across the credit spectrum. Separately, with its third-quarter trading update, LSEG forecast organic constant currency growth in total income, excluding recoveries, of at least 8% in 2026, up from its previous estimate of 7% to 7.5%. Total income, excluding recoveries, for the three months ended Sept. 30 rose to 2.41 billion pounds sterling from 2.22 billion pounds a year ago. Revenue growth was driven by improvement in its subscription businesses and sustained performance in the markets division.